India has been facing a wave of hoax bomb threats, resulting in disruptions to dozens of flights, massive financial losses for airlines, and hours of delays for passengers. The threats, primarily made on social media platforms, have affected both domestic and international flights, including those en route to the United States. The Indian aviation minister has vowed to punish those responsible by putting them on a no-fly list, making it a cognizable offense, and potentially sentencing them to jail time.
Although authorities have made one arrest, the motive behind the threats remains unclear. Bomb threats in India are taken very seriously due to past incidents such as the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 and the bombing of Air India Flight 182. Airlines are required to act on all threats, leading to emergency landings, fighter jet escorts, and significant disruptions to operations. Hoaxes can have a cascading effect on airlines, resulting in financial losses for fuel dumping, crew rotations, passenger accommodations, and aircraft refueling.
Officials are considering adjusting threat response protocols to streamline the process for passengers and airlines. However, experts emphasize the seriousness of such threats and the need to treat each one as credible. Despite efforts to address the issue, the ongoing spate of hoax bomb threats highlights the challenges faced by aviation authorities in ensuring safety and security in the face of malicious disruptions.
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